A 24-hour curfew has been declared in Borno State amid the ongoing hunger protests across the nation. Spokesman for the Command, Nahum Kenneth Daso, announced this in a statement on Thursday, citing security concerns following a bomb explosion on Wednesday.
While sources told Daily Trust that 19 persons were killed, the police confirmed 16 fatalities. In his statement, the police spokesman said the curfew was declared in the interest of peace.
“In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies toward the preservation of law and order in the state. You are all aware of the incident that took place at Kawori, which was the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) leading to the death of 16 persons, while several others were critically injured and are currently admitted across various government hospitals in the state.”
“In line with our constitutional mandate toward the restoration of law and order, His Excellency, the executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum, in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it expedient to declare a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect.”
“I, therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly, please,” the statement read.